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The acute effects of physical activity on cigarette cravings: Exploration of potential moderators, mediators and physical activity attributes using individual participant data (IPD) meta-analyses

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Abstract

Rationale

The effects of acute bouts of physical activity (PA) on Strength of Desire (SoD) and Desire to Smoke (DtS) using individual participant data (IPD) from 19 acute randomised controlled studies were quantified. However, there is a need to identify factors influencing this relationship.

Objectives

To understand who most benefits from PA, whether changes in affect mediate these effects and whether any specific attributes of PA are associated with cigarette cravings.

Methods

IPD (n = 930) contributed to one-stage IPD meta-analyses. Participants engaging in PA were compared against controls, using post-intervention DtS and SoD (when DtS is not available) with baseline adjustments. The craving scales were linearly rescaled to 0–100 % (a mean difference between groups of −10 would indicate that post-intervention cravings were 10 % lower in the PA compared with the control group). Demographic, smoking and other characteristics were examined as predictors and potential moderators, whereas change in affect was considered as a mediator. PA was categorised according to type, duration and intensity, to determine PA attributes associated with cravings reduction.

Results

None of the included covariates were shown to moderate or mediate the effects of PA. Intensity of PA was significantly associated with a reduction in cravings; moderate and vigorous intensity PA offered the most benefits. A one-stage IPD meta-analysis yielded effect sizes of −9.22 (−15.24; −3.20) for light, −34.57 (−42.64; −26.50) for moderate and −31.29 (−38.00; −24.57) for vigorous intensity in comparison with controls.

Conclusions

Moderate intensity PA could be recommended to all smokers regardless of demographic, smoking and other characteristics.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all the authors of individual studies for their co-operation, without which this study would not have been possible. And we would like to thank our reviewers and the editor for their helpful comments, which enabled us improve the paper.

Conflict of interest

This research was conducted with the support of internal institutional funds. The authors have received no other direct or indirect support, and none of the researchers have any connection with the tobacco or pharmaceutical industries. Some authors (M.H.; M.U.; K.J.V.R; G.F.; M.C.; J.B.D.; E.E.H.; H.O.; A.H.T) are also authors of some of the included primary studies.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Exeter, Heavitree Rd, Exeter, EX1 2 LU, UK

    M. Haasova, H. Oh & A. H. Taylor

  2. University of Exeter Medical School, Heavitree Rd, Exeter, EX1 2 LU, UK

    F. C. Warren

  3. St George’s University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE, UK

    M. Ussher

  4. Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA

    K. Janse Van Rensburg

  5. University of Toronto, 55 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 2 W6, Canada

    G. Faulkner

  6. University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK

    M. Cropley

  7. University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK

    J. Byron-Daniel

  8. University of Sheffield, Regent Court, 30 Regent Street, Sheffield, S1 4DA, UK

    E. S. Everson-Hock

Authors
  1. M. Haasova
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  2. F. C. Warren
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  3. M. Ussher
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  4. K. Janse Van Rensburg
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  5. G. Faulkner
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  6. M. Cropley
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  7. J. Byron-Daniel
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  8. E. S. Everson-Hock
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  9. H. Oh
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  10. A. H. Taylor
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Haasova.

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Haasova, M., Warren, F.C., Ussher, M. et al. The acute effects of physical activity on cigarette cravings: Exploration of potential moderators, mediators and physical activity attributes using individual participant data (IPD) meta-analyses. Psychopharmacology 231, 1267–1275 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-014-3450-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-014-3450-4

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